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255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
Great Read
This is a great read with invaluable information. The love that the author has for these animals comes through the pages.
This is a great read with invaluable information. The love that the author has for these animals comes through the pages.
This book stunned me into silence. Beautifully written, the authors love for Orca comes through on every word. I am so glad to have read this.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
An absolutely harrowing exploration of the corporate greed and exploitation of whales and their trainers by a cult-like organisation. This book also serves as a fascinating glimpse into cetacean personalities and intelligence. This is a must read if you would ever consider visiting a park holding captive cetaceans, if you watched blackfish or the cove and want more of the inside story or if, like me, you love cetaceans.
informative
inspiring
sad
I absolutely loved getting this inside look into the world of a Sea World trainer. Firstly, I'm just totally fascinated to get glimpses into worlds I know nothing about. But secondly, it is really, really remarkable what we have done with orcas both in a terrifyingly grotesque way, but also I really appreciate how he focuses on the relationship we have been able to build with these creatures. It really speaks to mankind's desire to really show domination over the earth and all it's creatures the fact that we have been able to control these magnificent and wild beings into entertainment. Thankfully, the barbaric practice is being seen for what it is and like the ways of performing bears and elephants and other circus animals is coming to our collective conscious as ethically wrong.
I can appreciate how difficult and heartbreaking it was for John to come to this realization after so many years believing so strongly in what he was doing and having such a strong, strong passion for this calling and close bond, not only with the orcas but also to his colleagues and friends who feel betrayed by his conversion in thinking.
I am also SO appreciative that his co-author was given credit here. It made me think about how incredibly stupid the ghostwriter system is. I expect John Hargrove to be an expert in marine animals in captivity, I do not expect John Hargrove to be great at writing a book and am really glad he had a professional help him put it together. If anything, showing the book had a professional co-author to help the person tell their story in a well structured way should be a good indicator that 'oh this story will be well told' rather than the ramblings of someone with interesting insights, but without a background in storytelling.
I can appreciate how difficult and heartbreaking it was for John to come to this realization after so many years believing so strongly in what he was doing and having such a strong, strong passion for this calling and close bond, not only with the orcas but also to his colleagues and friends who feel betrayed by his conversion in thinking.
I am also SO appreciative that his co-author was given credit here. It made me think about how incredibly stupid the ghostwriter system is. I expect John Hargrove to be an expert in marine animals in captivity, I do not expect John Hargrove to be great at writing a book and am really glad he had a professional help him put it together. If anything, showing the book had a professional co-author to help the person tell their story in a well structured way should be a good indicator that 'oh this story will be well told' rather than the ramblings of someone with interesting insights, but without a background in storytelling.
I dragged out the reading of this book so it wouldn't be over too soon. I didn't want to leave the world unveiled by John Hargrove. I have a new level of respect for orcas and the people who work with them, and am completely fascinated by this complex, beautiful species. I am heartbroken at learning the facts of their captivity, which I have long suspected, but now have achingly sad details to haunt me. Hats off to the trainers who try to make the whales' lives as varied and loving as possible, and to those advocating on their behalf for better conditions and to put a stop to captivity for the sake of human entertainment.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
What it's really like for orcas in captivity. Made me sad and angry. I already knew SeaWorld sucked, but this goes into more detail about the horrors the orcas go through.
4.5 stars
This book is great. Hargrove's story of his time working at SeaWorld is fascinating and I'm glad he shared his story. Orcas do. not. belong. in. captivity! I hope one day these magnificent, brilliant animals find the peace and freedom they deserve.
This book is great. Hargrove's story of his time working at SeaWorld is fascinating and I'm glad he shared his story. Orcas do. not. belong. in. captivity! I hope one day these magnificent, brilliant animals find the peace and freedom they deserve.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced